Minister of Entrepreneurship and IT Urve Palo has appointed IT businessman Tiit Paananen, Kone Baltics Managing Director Markus Nisula and agricultural businessman Urmas Laht members of the supervisory board of Enterprise Estonia (EAS).

Palo described all the new members of the supervisory board as being at the tops of their respective fields.

"Tiit Paananen undisputably is one of the most renowned managers on the Estonian technology landscape. Markus Nisula adds an international dimension to the supervisory board in addition to his longtime experience as top manager, while Urmas Laht adds a strong regional view," said Palo said.

Paananen, former manager of Skype, is head of quality engineering at Pipedrive. He was member or the management board of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications from 2013-2015.

Prior to his appointment as manager of Kone Baltics, Nisula served as CEO of BNS Grupp, as chief of technology at Elisa Eesti and as CFO of Radiolinja Eesti, predecessor of Elisa Eesti. Nisula was chairman of the board of the Finnish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce in 2005-2006 and member of the board of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications from 2005-2011.

Laht has been chairman of the board of the company OU Markilo since 2003 and simultaneously manager of the animal food producer OU Kureoja Jousoodatehas since 2009.

The minister recalled Reena Saastla from the supervisory board of EAS. The term of office of Toomas Talts on the supervisory board expired and David O'Brock vacated his seat in December last year. The new lineup of the supervisory board of EAS consists of the following members: Viljar Lubi, Kaia Sarnet, Anto Liivat, Tiit Paananen, Markus Nisula and Urmas Laht, and Erki Molder as chairman of the supervisory board.

Circular economy for modern growth: EU and the Baltics EU’s circular economy plans are aimed at efficient use of natural resources and raw materials, waste disposal, while fostering energy savings and reducing CO2. Adequate actions in the Baltic States would contribute to “closing the loop” of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, while bringing benefits to environment, business and economic growth.